VitalVenture is a collaborative science curriculum project that creates and disseminates learning resources that draw teachers and students into their communities to investigate, learn, and share. VitalVenture is a collaboration between the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization located in Portland, ME, and Maine Sea Grant, a state-federal partnership based at the University of Maine and sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the State of Maine.
PLEASE REVIEW THIS PRIVACY POLICY AND USER AGREEMENT FOR VITALVENTURE CAREFULLY. YOUR USE OF THIS SITE SIGNIFIES YOUR AGREEMENT TO SUCH PRIVACY POLICY AND ACCOMPANYING USER AGREEMENT.
The following are the essential components of our Privacy Policy. They are listed here in brief and detailed in the document that follows.
Site visitors choosing to comment on the VitalVenture site are responsible for maintaining their own privacy.
To better serve our users and meet our education and research goals we will collect information on how Site Visitors make use of this website in ways that protect your privacy.
PRIVACY POLICY
The VitalVenture website (the “Site,” the “website”) is located at http://vitalventure.gmri.org/. In order to operate this Site, we collect certain information. This Privacy Policy describes the types of information we collect, what we do with it, and with whom we share it. It is your responsibility to review this Privacy Policy carefully, especially before providing any personal data through the Site. This Site is operated in and controlled from the United States of America. If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or the Service, or if you wish to unsubscribe from services for which you have previously registered, please contact us at vitalventure@gmri.org or at the address at the end of this policy.
1. Personal Data, Registration, and Treatment of Personal Data
1a. Disclosure of Personal Data:
Personally Identifiable Information (“Personal Data”) is any information that can be used to identify a specific individual.
1b. Commenting:
Any visitor to the VitalVenture site is welcome to make a comment on an individual Activity or a Watershed Experience. To post a comment a visitor must give their name, which will be displayed alongside their comment, and their e-mail address, which will not be displayed. E-mail addresses will be stored in the password-protected content management system. GMRI may, in the future, implement a moderated commenting system and choose to use e-mail addresses to verify approved commentors. Under no circumstances will GMRI sell or otherwise use for non-VitalVenture purposes e-mail addresses submitted by those choosing to comment on the website content.
1c. Our Use of Your Data:
We will use your Personal Data only for the purposes for which it was provided.
1d. Contributions to the Site:
Please remember that the content of any comment you post on the VitalVenture site instantly becomes public. Comments are not screened prior to publication. Use caution when posting Comments. Individuals under the age of 18 should be especially careful not to provide any personally identifiable information in their comments. Please see our User Agreement for the standards of behavior that must be followed when commenting.
1e. Sharing of Personal Data:
Personal Data collected by this Site will not be shared with GMRI affiliates.
If GMRI hires a third-party to perform a certain business-related function, that third party will only be provided with the particular Personal Data it needs to perform its function, and will be required to protect the Personal Data.
In addition, GMRI may disclose Personal Data without providing you with a choice under the following limited circumstances to: (1) protect the legal rights, privacy or safety of GMRI, or its subsidiaries, affiliates or its or their employees, agents and contractors; (2) protect the safety and security of visitors to our web sites or other properties; (3) protect against fraud or other illegal activity or for risk management purposes; (4) respond to inquiries or requests from public authorities; (5) permit us to pursue available remedies or limit the damages that GMRI may sustain; (6) enforce the VitalVenture Website’s Terms of Use; or (7) comply with the law or legal process.
1f. Links to Other Sites:
Please note that this Site contains links to other sites that will not follow the same Privacy Policy as our Site. These sites may send their own cookies to you and may collect data and make use of that data in ways that this Site would not. Once you’ve left this Site, this Privacy Policy will no longer apply to Personal Data or any other data collected from or provided by you. You should check the applicable privacy policy to determine how that site will handle such data.
1g. “Share this” module:
The “Share this” functionality provided on this site links the visitor to other websites that do not have the same Privacy Policy or User Agreement as the VitalVenture Site. Users of the sharing module should read the Privacy Policies of the website or services that they use.
1h. Data Security Disclaimer:
GMRI takes reasonable security precautions to secure the Personal Data that you provide against the loss, misuse, alteration or unauthorized access of such information. Unfortunately, no transmission of data over the Internet is guaranteed to be completely secure. It may be possible for third parties not under the control of GMRI to intercept or access transmissions or private communications unlawfully. While GMRI strives to protect your Personal Data, it cannot ensure or warrant the security of any Personal Data you transmit to GMRI. Any such transmission is done at your own risk. If you believe that your interaction with GMRI is no longer secure, please notify GMRI of the problem by contacting us at vitalventure@gmri.org.
1i. Exclusions:
This Privacy Policy shall not apply to any unsolicited information you provide to GMRI on or through the Site. All such Unsolicited Information shall be deemed to be non-confidential, and GMRI shall be free to reproduce, use, disclose and distribute such Unsolicited Information to others without limitation or attribution.
2. Data Collected for Program Evaluation and Development
2a. Anonymous Data:
Anonymous data are information collected automatically through the operation of the Site. GMRI may collect site usage data (such as which Site pages you visit and in what sequence) through the use of various technologies. For example, GMRI collects IP addresses from individuals who visit the Site. An IP address is a number that is automatically assigned to your computer whenever you’re surfing the Web. Web servers, the computers that “serve up” Web pages, automatically identify your computer by its IP address, and when you request a page from a website, its servers log your IP address. We do not, however, link IP addresses to any Personal Data, so although your session will be logged, you will remain anonymous to us and to the Site.
2b. Use of Cookies and Similar Technologies:
Like many sites, the VitalVenture Site uses “cookies” or other similar technologies to collect Anonymous Data. A cookie is a small data file that writes to your hard drive for record keeping purposes when you visit the Site. Cookies allow the Site to improve your user experience. Cookies also allow the Site to measure traffic activity on the Site. Most browsers are initially set to accept cookies. If you prefer, you can set your browser to refuse cookies or to alert you when cookies are being sent, but it is possible that some parts of the Site will not function properly if you do so.
Cookies and similar tools may be used to relate your use of the Site and Anonymous Data to Personal Data obtained from you. If any Anonymous Data are linked with Personal Data, the linked Anonymous Data will then be treated as Personal Data.
GMRI may also use Personal Data in aggregate form for purposes of evaluation, research, or analysis. In order to better understand and serve the users of the VitalVenture website, GMRI may conduct research on VitalVenture users’ demographics, interests and behavior based on Personal Data gathered. Although this aggregated data may be based in part on Personal Data, it does not identify you personally. GMRI may share this type of Anonymous Data with a variety of third parties, including its affiliates, parents, and subsidiaries.
GMRI may use Anonymous Data collected from the Site for site administration, advertising and promotional purposes, and GMRI may share such information with various affiliated and unaffiliated entities for such purposes. For example, IP addresses are used for the purposes of system administration and to provide Anonymous Data to foundations and donors about the volume of use on the Site.
2c. Optional Survey
When Site Visitors choose to download VitalVenture curriculum, they will, from time to time, be prompted to complete a short, optional survey. This survey is designed to give us better knowledge of what sorts of professionals and individuals are using this site and how they are using the VitalVenture curriculum. This survey does not ask for any Personal Data and is purely for evaluation and program improvement purposes.
3. Other Terms, Conditions, and Details:
3a. Your access to and use of this Site is subject to the VitalVenture User Agreement.
3b. Applicable Law:
This Privacy Policy shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Maine, without giving effect to its conflicts of laws provisions. By registering for or entering the VitalVenture Site, you consent and submit to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the state and federal courts located in Portland, Maine. Please note that we do not represent or warrant that the Site is appropriate for use in any particular jurisdiction. Those who choose to access the Site do so at their own initiative and are responsible for complying with all local laws, rules and regulations.
3c. Changes to this Privacy Policy:
From time to time, GMRI may revise this Privacy Policy. If GMRI makes revisions to the way it collects or uses Personal Data, GMRI may advise users of this update by (1) announcing the change on the home page of the Site or (2) taking such other action, as it deems appropriate, including without limitation, posting the revised draft of this Privacy Policy on the Site. GMRI reserves the right (at GMRI’s discretion) to provide you notice of such changes to any e-mail address you have provided to the VitalVenture Site.
Any changes to this policy will become effective upon posting of the revised Privacy Policy on the Internet, accessible through the Site. By continuing to use the Site following such changes, you will be deemed to have agreed to such changes. If you do not agree with the terms of this Privacy Policy, as it may be amended from time to time, in whole or in part, please do not continue using this Site.
3d. Contacting GMRI Regarding Your Privacy:
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, Personal Data gathered by this Site or about the operation of this Site or Other Services, or if you wish to unsubscribe from the Site, please contact us at vitalventure@gmri.org.
Please contact the VitalVenture Program staff with any questions about this Privacy Policy. You can reach us at vitalventure@gmri.org or at:
VitalVenture Program
Gulf of Maine Research Institute
350 Commercial Street
Portland, ME 04101
Telephone: (207) 228-1647
Fax: (207) 772-6855
Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy Overview
VitalVenture is a collaborative science curriculum project that creates and disseminates learning resources that draw teachers and students into their communities to investigate, learn, and share. VitalVenture is a collaboration between the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization located in Portland, ME, and Maine Sea Grant, a state-federal partnership based at the University of Maine and sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the State of Maine.
PLEASE REVIEW THIS PRIVACY POLICY AND USER AGREEMENT FOR VITALVENTURE CAREFULLY. YOUR USE OF THIS SITE SIGNIFIES YOUR AGREEMENT TO SUCH PRIVACY POLICY AND ACCOMPANYING USER AGREEMENT.
The following are the essential components of our Privacy Policy. They are listed here in brief and detailed in the document that follows.
PRIVACY POLICY
The VitalVenture website (the “Site,” the “website”) is located at http://vitalventure.gmri.org/. In order to operate this Site, we collect certain information. This Privacy Policy describes the types of information we collect, what we do with it, and with whom we share it. It is your responsibility to review this Privacy Policy carefully, especially before providing any personal data through the Site. This Site is operated in and controlled from the United States of America. If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or the Service, or if you wish to unsubscribe from services for which you have previously registered, please contact us at vitalventure@gmri.org or at the address at the end of this policy.
1. Personal Data, Registration, and Treatment of Personal Data
1a. Disclosure of Personal Data:
Personally Identifiable Information (“Personal Data”) is any information that can be used to identify a specific individual.
1b. Commenting:
Any visitor to the VitalVenture site is welcome to make a comment on an individual Activity or a Watershed Experience. To post a comment a visitor must give their name, which will be displayed alongside their comment, and their e-mail address, which will not be displayed. E-mail addresses will be stored in the password-protected content management system. GMRI may, in the future, implement a moderated commenting system and choose to use e-mail addresses to verify approved commentors. Under no circumstances will GMRI sell or otherwise use for non-VitalVenture purposes e-mail addresses submitted by those choosing to comment on the website content.
1c. Our Use of Your Data:
We will use your Personal Data only for the purposes for which it was provided.
1d. Contributions to the Site:
Please remember that the content of any comment you post on the VitalVenture site instantly becomes public. Comments are not screened prior to publication. Use caution when posting Comments. Individuals under the age of 18 should be especially careful not to provide any personally identifiable information in their comments. Please see our User Agreement for the standards of behavior that must be followed when commenting.
1e. Sharing of Personal Data:
Personal Data collected by this Site will not be shared with GMRI affiliates.
If GMRI hires a third-party to perform a certain business-related function, that third party will only be provided with the particular Personal Data it needs to perform its function, and will be required to protect the Personal Data.
In addition, GMRI may disclose Personal Data without providing you with a choice under the following limited circumstances to: (1) protect the legal rights, privacy or safety of GMRI, or its subsidiaries, affiliates or its or their employees, agents and contractors; (2) protect the safety and security of visitors to our web sites or other properties; (3) protect against fraud or other illegal activity or for risk management purposes; (4) respond to inquiries or requests from public authorities; (5) permit us to pursue available remedies or limit the damages that GMRI may sustain; (6) enforce the VitalVenture Website’s Terms of Use; or (7) comply with the law or legal process.
1f. Links to Other Sites:
Please note that this Site contains links to other sites that will not follow the same Privacy Policy as our Site. These sites may send their own cookies to you and may collect data and make use of that data in ways that this Site would not. Once you’ve left this Site, this Privacy Policy will no longer apply to Personal Data or any other data collected from or provided by you. You should check the applicable privacy policy to determine how that site will handle such data.
1g. “Share this” module:
The “Share this” functionality provided on this site links the visitor to other websites that do not have the same Privacy Policy or User Agreement as the VitalVenture Site. Users of the sharing module should read the Privacy Policies of the website or services that they use.
1h. Data Security Disclaimer:
GMRI takes reasonable security precautions to secure the Personal Data that you provide against the loss, misuse, alteration or unauthorized access of such information. Unfortunately, no transmission of data over the Internet is guaranteed to be completely secure. It may be possible for third parties not under the control of GMRI to intercept or access transmissions or private communications unlawfully. While GMRI strives to protect your Personal Data, it cannot ensure or warrant the security of any Personal Data you transmit to GMRI. Any such transmission is done at your own risk. If you believe that your interaction with GMRI is no longer secure, please notify GMRI of the problem by contacting us at vitalventure@gmri.org.
1i. Exclusions:
This Privacy Policy shall not apply to any unsolicited information you provide to GMRI on or through the Site. All such Unsolicited Information shall be deemed to be non-confidential, and GMRI shall be free to reproduce, use, disclose and distribute such Unsolicited Information to others without limitation or attribution.
2. Data Collected for Program Evaluation and Development
2a. Anonymous Data:
Anonymous data are information collected automatically through the operation of the Site. GMRI may collect site usage data (such as which Site pages you visit and in what sequence) through the use of various technologies. For example, GMRI collects IP addresses from individuals who visit the Site. An IP address is a number that is automatically assigned to your computer whenever you’re surfing the Web. Web servers, the computers that “serve up” Web pages, automatically identify your computer by its IP address, and when you request a page from a website, its servers log your IP address. We do not, however, link IP addresses to any Personal Data, so although your session will be logged, you will remain anonymous to us and to the Site.
2b. Use of Cookies and Similar Technologies:
Like many sites, the VitalVenture Site uses “cookies” or other similar technologies to collect Anonymous Data. A cookie is a small data file that writes to your hard drive for record keeping purposes when you visit the Site. Cookies allow the Site to improve your user experience. Cookies also allow the Site to measure traffic activity on the Site. Most browsers are initially set to accept cookies. If you prefer, you can set your browser to refuse cookies or to alert you when cookies are being sent, but it is possible that some parts of the Site will not function properly if you do so.
Cookies and similar tools may be used to relate your use of the Site and Anonymous Data to Personal Data obtained from you. If any Anonymous Data are linked with Personal Data, the linked Anonymous Data will then be treated as Personal Data.
GMRI may also use Personal Data in aggregate form for purposes of evaluation, research, or analysis. In order to better understand and serve the users of the VitalVenture website, GMRI may conduct research on VitalVenture users’ demographics, interests and behavior based on Personal Data gathered. Although this aggregated data may be based in part on Personal Data, it does not identify you personally. GMRI may share this type of Anonymous Data with a variety of third parties, including its affiliates, parents, and subsidiaries.
GMRI may use Anonymous Data collected from the Site for site administration, advertising and promotional purposes, and GMRI may share such information with various affiliated and unaffiliated entities for such purposes. For example, IP addresses are used for the purposes of system administration and to provide Anonymous Data to foundations and donors about the volume of use on the Site.
2c. Optional Survey
When Site Visitors choose to download VitalVenture curriculum, they will, from time to time, be prompted to complete a short, optional survey. This survey is designed to give us better knowledge of what sorts of professionals and individuals are using this site and how they are using the VitalVenture curriculum. This survey does not ask for any Personal Data and is purely for evaluation and program improvement purposes.
3. Other Terms, Conditions, and Details:
3a. Your access to and use of this Site is subject to the VitalVenture User Agreement.
3b. Applicable Law:
This Privacy Policy shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Maine, without giving effect to its conflicts of laws provisions. By registering for or entering the VitalVenture Site, you consent and submit to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the state and federal courts located in Portland, Maine. Please note that we do not represent or warrant that the Site is appropriate for use in any particular jurisdiction. Those who choose to access the Site do so at their own initiative and are responsible for complying with all local laws, rules and regulations.
3c. Changes to this Privacy Policy:
From time to time, GMRI may revise this Privacy Policy. If GMRI makes revisions to the way it collects or uses Personal Data, GMRI may advise users of this update by (1) announcing the change on the home page of the Site or (2) taking such other action, as it deems appropriate, including without limitation, posting the revised draft of this Privacy Policy on the Site. GMRI reserves the right (at GMRI’s discretion) to provide you notice of such changes to any e-mail address you have provided to the VitalVenture Site.
Any changes to this policy will become effective upon posting of the revised Privacy Policy on the Internet, accessible through the Site. By continuing to use the Site following such changes, you will be deemed to have agreed to such changes. If you do not agree with the terms of this Privacy Policy, as it may be amended from time to time, in whole or in part, please do not continue using this Site.
3d. Contacting GMRI Regarding Your Privacy:
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, Personal Data gathered by this Site or about the operation of this Site or Other Services, or if you wish to unsubscribe from the Site, please contact us at vitalventure@gmri.org.
Please contact the VitalVenture Program staff with any questions about this Privacy Policy. You can reach us at vitalventure@gmri.org or at:
VitalVenture Program
Gulf of Maine Research Institute
350 Commercial Street
Portland, ME 04101
Telephone: (207) 228-1647
Fax: (207) 772-6855